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Rescue a Rat
Rats for Sale
Rat
Keeping Rats as Pets
Three Rats - Kalua, J.R., and Dixie
"J.R. was our first rat; he is a
pure albino. He got his name for an HBO show called Dead like me. One of the
main characters names all their animals by the animal.( Just Dog, Just Frog)
(it is loving, don't get me wrong) J.R. was just ready for a home when we
got him. Kalua was our second rat; she looks like a light mudslide. That is
how she got her name. Dixie was our 3rd and final rat. Technically she is my
Best Friend's pet but her mother won't let her keep her. My friend is a
Southern gal, I hope that explains Dixie's name. Also Dixie is Black and
white. We got all 3 of them 1 month apart. Kalua was medium sized when we
got her. J.R. and Dixie were small, But all three get along great. J.R.
loves to roam around the house but neither Kalua or Dixie are allowed to.
Two days after we got Kalua, she disappeared. I closed up the cage and went
to bed. the next morning I woke up and the top door was open on the cage.
J.R. was curled up in his blanket inside the cage, but Kalua was gone. I
found her in a swivel recliner, and had to cut it open to get her out....
now she only gets supervised visits. We've only have Dixie 2 weeks and she
is still to skittish."
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Type |
A rat is a warm blooded mammal
in the rodent family. |
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Temperament |
While most people will cringe at
the thought of having a rat for a pet, believe it or not, domestic rats make
great pets! They are not aggressive, diseased and dirty animals, but in fact are
clean, fun loving, sensitive, very social and affectionate. They genuinely enjoy
interacting with people and should be handled daily. Rats are very intelligent
and can be taught simple tricks, such as stay and sit and will often learn their
name. They can also be litter box trained. Rats will often develop a connection
with their owner, wanting daily attention. They will enjoy playing and snuggling
with their owners. Rats that are well handled from birth are very friendly
towards humans and very rarely bite. Children should be taught not to stick
their fingers in the cage if their hand smell like food. Even the most friendly
rat may be tempted to take a taste. Rats require time, interaction, and upkeep.
Because rats are very social animals they can get bored easily and it is a good
idea to have more than one rat. Having two rats is no more work than having only
one. Two rats will be entertaining to watch and will take some of the stress off
of you in having to entertain them. If you keep more than one rat be sure to
either have two males or two females or get your rats spayed and neutered to
avoid any unwanted breeding. However if your rat is overly aggressive with other
rats you may have to keep it all by itself. When you purchase your rat be sure
the place you obtain your rat from keeps males and females separated. Since a
rat can get pregnant at the young age of 5 weeks old, you don't want to purchase
a pregnant rat and end up with more rats then you planned for! When choosing
your rat, choose one that does not appear skittish or does not squeal when
picked up. Males tend to be calmer than females. Males usually enjoy being
held for longer amounts of time especially as they get older. Males may start to
mark their territory as it matures. Getting your male neutered may help with
this. Females tend to be more active than males. Toys and accessories can be
provided for your rat such as tubes, hammocks, fruit tree branches, paper towel
and toilet paper roles plant pots and anything else that does not have a sharp
edge to it can be provided for your rats enjoyment. Keep in mind that they will
chew what you give them. |
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Size |
About - 6-10 inches (15-21 cm.)
long (not including the tail)
About - 6-18 ounces 170-500 grams)
Males are usually larger than females. Males can weigh up to 2 pounds (.9 kg.)
but typically way less. |
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Housing |
Some people keep their rats
inside the house while others keep them in outside sheds or garages. Keeping a
pet rat indoors is recommended as they may not get the attention they need if
they are kept in a garage or a shed. Rats can live in aquariums with a wire or
mesh screen top or in wire cages. However aquariums are not recommended as they
do not provide adequate ventilation. The larger your rats cage the happier he
will be. When looking for a rat cage, look for cages made for rabbits, ferrets,
chinchillas or parrots. Often times a cage at a pet store, shown as a rat cage
is only big enough for a gerbil or hamster. Rats need more room than hamsters or
gerbils. Shredded paper, shredded cardboard, hay, straw, hemp, paper based cat
litters, and or clothing can be used for the bedding (keep in mind the rat will
chew the clothing so be sure to only use clothing you no longer want). Pine and
cedar wood chips should be avoided as the fumes from these beddings can cause
respiratory damage. |
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Clean-up |
Rats are very clean animals and
therefore their cages should be kept very clean. Your rat will not be happy
living in a dirty cage. Cages should be cleaned every 3 days and waste matter
should be removed daily. You should have a small pet carrier on hand to put your
rat in while you clean out the cage. These carriers can also be used when taking
your rat to the vet, or where ever else you decide to take them. |
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Grooming |
Rats are very clean animals.
They are constantly grooming themselves (like cats), so no additional grooming
is required on the owners part. If you house more than one rat together they
will groom each other. |
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Feeding |
Fresh water should be provided
daily in a gravity driven hanging bottle. These types of bottles can be
purchased at just about any pet supply store. Rats are scavengers and will eat
just about anything. Low sugar cereals, breads, fruits, vegetables, meats,
chicken bones, dog food, cat food, and table scraps can be fed to rats.
You can also buy rat food and treats from your local pet store. Rats especially
seem to enjoy bananas, grapes, peas, broccoli, sweet corn, pasta, yogurt, eggs,
meat, chicken bones and fish. Be sure you feed them a well balanced diet. Too
much protein can cause protein scabs. Younger rats need more protein than older
rats. |
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Exercise |
It is important that rats get
the proper amount of exercise. Rats can be allowed to roam indoors around a room
that has been rat proofed. Rats like to chew and will chew things such as wires,
furniture, books and anything else that looks chewable! If you allow your rat to
roam free in your home you need to keep an eye on the rat to keep it from
chewing something you do not wish it to chew. Rats should not be allowed to roam
outdoors. Some un-neutered males may decide to mark their territory. If your rat
does this you should cover your furniture or carpet area where the rat is with a
blanket while the rat is roaming free. |
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Life Expectancy |
About 2-4 years |
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Health Problems |
Prone to bacterial skin
infections, bacterial lung infections, brain tumors, bloody noses, ear
infections, bronchitis and pneumonia. |
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Gestation |
Female rats can get pregnant as
young as 5 weeks of age and can reproduce young four to six times a year. There
are usually four to ten young in one litter. Female rats go into heat
every 4 to 5 days. Unlike other mammals, there is no discharge from them during
their heat cycle. One female can wean about twenty young a year. Baby rats wean
at a minimum of 4 weeks. |
| Origin |
Rats can pretty much be found
all over the world. They are mostly known as the
most destructive pests
in the world: spreading disease, damaging structures and contaminating food.
This is true for rats living in the wild scavenging around for their next meal,
however domesticated rats are very clean and intelligent making wonderful pets.
It is because of their intelligence and their easy handling that they have
become one of the most popular animals used for laboratory research. |
"Remmy [Sir Remmington] is a six month old, male, VariBerk (Variegated Berkshire). He is the most outgoing and curious rat of the bunch so onto my shoulder and into my heart he went. We eat, nap, play, go for walks, and sometimes even shower together. He's a very intelligent boy but his affectionate disposition takes the cake. Remmy enjoys havings his cheeks scratched, playing tag, and hand wrestling during his free ranging time. He's never shy to give me kisses, pry my mouth open, or groom my hands."
"When my alarm goes off in the morning the first thing I see is him staring at me from his hammock. Some mornings when my alarm isn't set, he waits to hear me get out of bed throws himself against the bars. He's very confident in himself which causes me to worry about his safety more than he does. He actually tries to groom the dogs and cats! Who would have thought? Life would be boring without my squishy man rat!"
Remmy [Sir Remmington] is a six month old, male, VariBerk (Variegated Berkshire).
Remmy [Sir Remmington] is a six month old, male, VariBerk (Variegated Berkshire).
"Ginger is an Agouti Berkshire Dumbo Rat, and her stomach is white, with a gray outline. She likes to play with people's hands, and with her sister Maully. She is 5 months old in this picture, and loves to chew the curtains through her cage bars when she thinks no one's looking. She loves to dip her head in bowls of water, but she hates getting baths. Her "husband" is my other rat, Bellatrix. (but they live in separate cages!) Her favorite treat is strawberry yogies, but there is nothing that she won't eat! She also enjoys "bobbing for frozen peas" with Maully. She likes being a rat, but she acts more like a dog!"
Kalua, J.R., and Dixie's home.
which has three stories and a nest on the bottom. They love to climb
up an around all the time.
Fancy Rat named OZ.
Hooded Rat (female, color: fawn).
Hooded Rat (3-week old, female, color: agouti).
Hooded Rats (2 weeks old, assorted colors: fawn, dove, beige)
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"Javier is an agouti hooded male. He's the most laid back of the rats. His favorite activity is lounging about on the couch!"
"Even though they are opposites in personality, Indie and Riot are almost inseperable. Indie is a little stubborn black berkshire and Riot is a himalayan that absolutely loves playing."
"Riot and Javier's first litter at 12 days old. There are eight total, all of them hooded."
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VooDoo the Fancy Rat.
This is Hector, the lab rat and Heidi, his former owner. Hector
stayed with Heidi at the college through most of Heidi's graduate school (in
Psychology, what else!) before passing on to greener pastures. Heidi is
now converted to a dog person. :)
Boris a 4.5 yr old American Bulldog, together with a (naked) Sphynx rat.
Sphynx Rat (hairless)
Pet Rat Pictures 1
Pet Rat Pictures 2
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